Propeller



March 27, 1934. I C, H, HAWLL 1,952,799

PRPELLER Mah 27, 1934. c, H. HAvlLl. 1,952,799

PROPELLER Filed July 11, '1930 2 sheets-speer 2 Patented Mar. 27, 1934 v l UNi'rsDsTATs-s PATENT OFFICE PROPELLER Clinton '11. Havill, South Orange, N. J., assigner to Eclipse Aviation Corporation, East Orange, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application July 11, 1930, Serial No. 467,315

1s Claims. (ci. 17o- 162) This invention relates to propellers and more will appear more fully hereinafter from the folparticularly to propellers having a'plurality of lowing detailed description when taken in conblades the pitch of which may be varied during nection with the accompanying drawings. It operation.. is to be expressly understood, however, that the 5 Various means have been heretofore proposed drawings are for purposes of illustration only, 60

for securing the variation in angularity or pitch and are not designed as a definition of the limits of the blades of a rotating propeller and the of the invention. reference being had for this utilization of such means has resulted, in certain purpose to the appended claims. Y instances, in marked increases in propeller ef- In the drawings, Wherein similar reference ciency, especially in the cases of aircraft in- Characters refer to like parts throughout the stallations. Some of the devices of this char- Several vieWSI- acter employed heretofore have been manually Fig. 1 iS a horizontal Section of a Propeller operated while others have been automatically embodying the present'invention; actuated, dependingv for their operation upon Fig. 2 is a side view, partly in section, of the 7 l one-or more of the forces generated during rota- .parts illustrated in Fig'- 1; 0

tion of a propeiier. one of these last named Fig. 3 is a sectional end view of the propeller; forces, present during normal operation of a and propeller, is that due to centrifugal force and Fig. 4 is a view, partly in section, taken on aerodynamic force which exerts a torsional or line l---i of Fig. 1. f

' 2,0 twisting moment on the blade the former tending Referring now to the drawings, and more 75 to reduce the pitch while the latter tends to inparticularly to Figs. 1 and 3 thereof, a propeller crease the pitch. The torsion resulting from embodying the principles of the present invention centrifugal force is greater than that due to is illustrated therein as comprising a plurality of aero-dynamic force, the result being that there propeller blades 5 adapted to be rotated by a shaft is a marked tendency for the blade to reduce its 6, which may be an engine crankshaft or exten- 80 pitch, that is, to turn the blade into the plane sion thereof. A portion only of the propeller of, rotation. blades is illustrated, in order that a large scale As above-mentioned, this force resulting in a drawing may be utilized. As shown in Fig. 2, the torsional moment, always tends to twist the blade blades 5 are of aerofoil section and so constructed into a position of zero pitch, and consequently, that the center of gravity 4of each blade section 85 unless means are provided for balancing this is substantially coincident with the axis of rotacentrifugal moment,..a relatively large force is tion in order to reduce vibration.

required to increase the pitch of the blades. In order to drivably connect the propeller One of the objects of the present invention is blades to the shaft 6, there is provided a main to provide novel means for wholly or partially hub forging 'having a plurality of axially aligned 90 counteracting the torsional moment of the blades sleevesor sockets 8 adapted to receive and rotatof a rotating propeller. ably support the root ends of the blades, in a Another object of the invention is to provide manner tobe referred to more specically herein a variable pitch'propeller, novel means reinafter. -As shown, adriving block 9,' rigidly fixed 40 sponsive to centrifugal force for opposingthe to the shaft 6 to rotate therewith by emp1oying 95 tendency of the blades to assume a zero pitch any suitable meansl such as keys 10,*and which Condition is maintained in proper position with respect to Still another object is to `provide a propellerthe shaft by means of split front and rear cones wherein the pitch of the blades is automatically 11 and 12 respectively, adapted te be forced into 45 varied, together with centrifugally actuated rm engagement with said block by means of a 100 pivoted members for neutralizing the turningl nut 13 threadediy received by the outer extremity moment exerted on said blades because of cenof the shaft, is interposed between the hub and trifugal foroe driving shaft. A plurality of rows of ball beary A further object is to provide a novel variable ings 14, are disposed between the driving block 50 pitch propeller embodying means responsive to and hub in order to permit substantially friction- 105 the thrust of the blades for changing the pitch less longitudinal movement of the latter. thereof in combination with means cooperating For ease in assembly, each of the root ends of withY the Vthrust-responsive means for opposing the blades'is provided with a split housing 15, the

the torsional reaction lof the blades.- two halves of which are held in position by means l The above and other objects of the invention of a retaining clamping ring 16 and a ring 17, 110 Y the latter being threaded :to Athe outer end of the housing. Each blade root together with its associated root housingis rotatably supported in the hub socket by means of bearing members 18 5 and 19, and in order to provide for the outward thrust of each blade due to centrifugal force, a ball thrust bearing 20 is confined between a shoulder 21, formed on the 'housing 15, and a nut 22, threaded into the open end of the socket 8.

Means are .employed for changing the pitch of the blades during relative axial movement of the hub with respect to the driving shaft, which movement, in the .form shown, is responsive to the thrust of the blades. Cooperating means, operable during such thrust-responsive movement of the hub, include relatively movable ring gearand toothed rack members 23 and 24 respectively, one for each blade, thec former surrounding the root'housing 15 and secured thereto, the latter xedly secured in any suitable manner to a plate carried by the driving block 9, Fig. 2, and extending through suitable apertures formed in the hub sockets 8. Referring more particularly to Fig. 2, it will be seen that forward 25 movement ofthe hub will be effective td cause the ring gear 23 to roll along the relatively stationary -rack member 24 to change the pitch, it being here noted that forward movement of the hub with respect to the drive shaft will decrease the y pitch of the blades.

In order to predetermine the amount of thrust which will be necessary to initiate forward movement of the hub, with respect to the drive shaft to decrease the pitch of the blades, means are vj provided for yieldably resisting the thrust-responsive movement of the hub. In the form of the invention illustrated, such means are constituted by a -plurality of resilient members such as springs 26, confined between the plate 25 and a portionv of the hub 7`and the tension of these springs may be adjustedn any suitable manner,

the springs 26 being then compressed slightly.-

and consequently always tending to move the hub rearwardly to increase the pitch. A pointed :out that the tension of these springs is adjusted' in such a manner as to arrest'the forward movement of the hub at such a position that the resulting pitch will yield maximum pro` If 1. desired, positive stop means comprising cooppeller eiliciency for the given conditions.

erating adjustable members 27 and 28', Fig. 1, ,may be provided for positively limiting and prei determining the lower pitch'limit.

As heretofore pointed out, during normal rotation of a propeller, centrifugal force acting, on

,each blade exerts thereon a torsional or twisting moment which tends to reduce the pitch of the blades to zero. In Fig. 2 of the drawings, this centrifugal moment acts on the blade, the aerofoil section of which is indicated in dot and dash lines, to tend to twist the same in a clockwise direction about its longitudinal axis. This torsion reaction may be resolved into two components, one tending to force the hub upwardly, as viewed in this lgure. to cause compression of springs 26 and thus decrease the pitch, and the other acting downwardly on the teeth of rack 24, tending to place the said rack in tension.

It is- In order to compensate for the above-noted torsional moment, centrifugally responsive means are providedfrzwhich during. operation are effective to balance or neutralize each of the two components of the centrifugal moment referred to above. As shown, such means comprises a pair of levers indicated generally at 27, each of which is pivotally mounted in suitable ears 28, extending laterally from either side of the hub. Each lever has an outwardly extending arm 29 terminating in a hollow portion 30 adapted to receive suitable weights, not shown, a screw plug 31 being employed to confine these weights in positiondu'ring operation. An arm 32 is fixed to each lever and is adapted to bear against the lower end of the rack 24, Fig. 2. Suitable means such as springs 33 are employed for normally maintaining these parts in the position shown in the drawings.

In operation, as above described, the torsional vmoment due to centrifugal force will tend to move the hub forwardly, or upwardly as viewed in Fig. 2, land will tend to place rack 24 under tension. However, the levers 27 are responsive to centrifugal force and will move outwardly vin the direction of the arrow, Fig. 2, the arms 32 of said levers tending to compress racks 24, thereby balancing the tension therein, and the pivot of said levers, that is the hub, moving downwardly, as viewed in this figure, thereby neutralizing the forward movement of the hub due to torsion. By suitable theoretical and experimental determinations, the proper size and shape of levers 27 may be found which, in operation, will be effective to completely balance the torsional moment, if desired.

There is thus provided by the present invention- -a novel propeller of the variable-pitch type,

the hub and blades axially of the driving' mem'- 120 ber .to vary the pitch of the blades together with the centrifugally-actuated members cooperating with the pitch-varying means to balance the torsional moment, there is obtained a highly ecient and reliable propeller and one wherein the forces and stresses involved are. controlled in a simple and effective manner, such a propeller being especially adaptable for use on' aircraft wherein ease and positiveness of operation are of greatimportance.

While there has been shown and described only one embodiment of the invention, it' is to be understood 4that the same is not limited. thereto, but may be embodied in various mechanical forms. For example, means other' than the levers, may be utilized for neutralizing the centrifugall moment of the blades, such as geared counterweights, it being understood, however, that the eiTect of. all such means should be re- M0 sponsiveA to'centrifugal force. It is also to be expressly understood that .the use of the invention is not limited to aircraft, but may be employed in other installations. y

Various changes other than those above mentioned may also be made in the relative sizes, shapes and arrangement of the component parts of the invention withoutdeparting from the spirit thereof, as will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. Reference will therefore be 150' had to the appended claims'fora definition of the limits of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a rotatable shaft, a hub axially movable with respect to said shaft, a plurality of blades carried by the hub, means for varying the pitch of said blades during such axial movement and means including weighted levers responsive to centrifugal force for yieldably opposing the axial movement of the hub.

2; A propeller having a plurality of blades,

-means including a hub for varying the pitch of the `blades in accordance with the thrust thereof, resilient means for yieldingly opposing operation of said pitch-varying means, and other means for compensating for the centrifugal moment of the blades said last named means including Weighted members pivoted to said hub.

3. The combination with a. driving memberof a hub longitudinally movable thereof, a plurality 'of,blades rotatably'carried by said hub, means hub, aplurality of blades carried thereby, a ro-v tatable shaft, means for drivably connecting the hub and shaft, thrust-responsive means for moving said hub axially of said shaft, means operable during such movement to change the pitch of said blades, and centrifugally-responsive means operable during such axial movement for opposing the effect of centrifugal torsion on the blades said last named means .including members movable with respect to the hub.

6. A propeller having a rotatable shaft, a hub, a plurality of blades carried by th hub, means for drivably connecting the hub and shift said 60' for driving said hub said hub being relatively movable with respect to said driving means in response to the thrust of said blades, relatively stationary means cooperating with said blades during such movement to rotate said blades with respect to the hub to change the pitch, and means including centrifugally-responsive weights for compensating for the centrifugal torsional -moment of the blades. l

8. The combination with a propeller including a shaft, of blades longitudinally movable `vvith respect to the axis ofsaid Ashaft and rotatablev with respect to the axis of the blades, thrust-responsive means for automatically causing rotation of the blades to vary their pitch and means including qentrifugally-responsive members for balancing the centrifugal torsional moment of said rotating blades.

9. A propeller comprising a plurality of blades, means for rotating said blades, means responsive to an increase in the thrust of said blades above a predetermined amount for decreasing the pitch of the blades, resilient means tending to increase the pitch of the blades andyieldingly opposing operation of said second named means for predetermining theamount of thrust for decreasing the pitch, and other means including a plurality of centrifugally-responsive masses for balancing the centrifugal torsional moment of said blades.

10. The combination with a driving member, of ar hub longitudinally movable thereof, a plurality of blades rotatably carried by said hub, means for changing the pitch of the blades during longitudinal movement ofthe hub, means yieldably opposing longitudinal movement of the hub in one direction, and means including weighted members responsive to centrifugal force for substantially balancing the tendency of said 'blades to assume a zero pitch condition due to the centrifugal torsion thereof.

11. The combination with a driving member, of a plurality of propeller blades, a hub for rotatably receiving said blades, said hub being movableA longitudinally of said driving lmember in response to the thrust exerted by said blades during operation, means for changing the pitch of the blades during longitudinal movement of the hub, and means. including weighted members responsive to centrifugal force for substantially balancing the tendency of the blades to assume a zero pitch condition due to the centrifugal torsion thereon.

12.` A propeller of the class described comprislng a hub, a plurality of blades carried thereby, means for driving said hub, said hub being relatively movable with respect to said driving means in response to the thrust of said blades, a plurality of resilient members for yieldably opposing the relative movement of the hub with respect to the driving means, relatively stationary means cooperating with said blades during such movement to rotate said blades with respect to the` hub to change the pitch, and means including J'centrifugally responsive weights for compensating for the centrifugal torsional moment of the blades. v

13. A propeller of the class described comprising a hub, a plurality of blades carried thereby, means for driving said hub, said hub being relatively movable with respect to said driving means in response to the thrust of said blades, means for rotating said blades with respect to the hub to change the pitch during such movement of the hub, said means comprising a relatively stationary member operatively connected with the driving means,'and connections between said member and said blades, and means including centrifugalyly responsive weights for compensating for the centrifugal torsional moment of the blades.

14. A propeller of the class described comprising a hub, a plurality of blades carried thereby, meansfor driving said hub, said hub being relatively movable with respect to said driving means in response to the thrust of said blades, a plurality of resilient members for yieldably opposing the relative movement of the hub with respect to the driving means, means for rotating said blades with respect to the hub to change the pitch during such movement ofthe hub, said means comprising a relatively stationary member operatively connected with the driving means, and connections between said member andv said blades, and means including centrifugally .responsive weights for compensating for the centrifugal torsionalmoment of the blades.

pensate for the centrifugal torsional moment of the blades, said last named means including centrifugally-responsive members.

16. A propeller having a plurality of blades, a drive shaft therefor, means responsive to the thrust of the blades for moving the latter bodily with respect to said shaft, resilient means for trifugally-responsive masses for neutralizing the centrifugal torsion on the blades due to centrifugal force. l

17. A propeller for 'aircraft comprising a blade, driving means therefor, a hub for said blade drivably connected with said means but axially mov.- able thereof in one direction in response to the thrust of said blade, means to decrease the pitch of said blade during thrust-responsive movement of the hub in saidone direction, resilient means for yieldingly opposing such movement and normally maintaining said hub in a position relative to the driving means such that the pitch of the blade is a maximum, and other means including weighted members movable in response to centrifugal force for substantially neutralizing the torsional moment of said rotating blade.

18. In combination withv a rotatable shaft, a hub axially movable with respect to said shaft, a plurality of blades carried by the hub and cooperating therewith to move the latter axially in response to the thrust of said blades, means operable during such axial movement to vary the pitch'of said blades, and means including relayieldingly resisting such bodily movement, means .tively-movable centrifugally-respnsive members operable during such movementto vary the pitchof the blades, and other means including cenfor compensating' for the torsion of theblades. Y CLINTON H. HAVILL. 

